Fltjid meter



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. RUUD. FLUID METER.

No. 451,881. e Patented May 5,1891.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. RUUD.

FLUID METER.

No. 451,881. Patented May 5,1891.

WITNESSES:

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

E. RUUD. FLUID METER.

No. 451,881. l Patented May 5,1891.

WITNESSIES: INVENTO wwf @QM W? v UNITED STATES PATENT @Erica EDWIN RUUD, or rI'r'rSBUI-te, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR rro THE FUEL GAS AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or SAME rLAcE.

FLUID-METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 451,881, dated May 5, 1891.

Application filed .Tune 19, 1890. Serial No. 355,932. (No model.)

To all whom it may con/cern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN RUUD, a citizen of the United States, residing` at Pittsburg, inthe county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a certain new and useful Improvement in Fluid- Meters, of which improvementthe following is a specification.

The object of myinvention is to provide a double-acting meter-that is to say, one in which fluid is both received and discharged at each stroke of the pistons or measuring cups, which shall embody the advantages of simplicity and inexpensiveness of construction, accuracy of measurement, steady and continuous delivery of fluid, maximum capacity within determined volu me, and low degree of friction.

To this end my invention, generally stated, consists in the combination of a chambered casing, two or more pistons or measuring-cups, each fitted to reciprocate in one of the cham- .bers thereof, supply and exhaust passages Fig. 4, a similar section through the valve chamber at the line .e .a of Fig. 3.

In the practice of my invention I provide a casing 1, which is preferably of sheet metal, and is divided by a horizontal partition 2 and vertical partitions 3 into an upper valvechamber et and two measuring-chambers 5, located side by side below the valve-chamber. An inlet-nozzle or supply-passage 6, adapted to be connected to a duid-supply pipe, is fixed to one side of the valve-chamber 4, and an outlet-nozzle or delivery-passage '7, adapted to be connected to a duid-delivery pipe, leads from the opposite side of the valve-chamber, the outlet-nozzle communicating `with exhaust-passages S, leading to ports 9 in valvefaces 10, fixed to the bottom plate 2 of the valve-chamber. A fluid receiving and deliverypassage 1l leads from each Valve-face into the top of the adjacent measuring-chamber 5, and a similar passage 12 leads from 55 each valve-face on the opposite side of itsv exhaust-port 9, to and downwardly on the outside of the casing 1 to the bottom thereof, and thence. extends upwa'rdly in the adjacent measuring-chamber 5 for a sufficient height 6o to enable its upper open end to be cleared by a piston or measuring-cup 13, which.is fitted to reciprocate in said chamber, when the measuring-cup is at the lower limit of its traverse. Y

The measuring-cups 13, one of which works in each measuring-chamber 5, are light metallic shells closed at their upper and open at their lower eiI'ds, and are of corresponding form to but of slightly less dimensions in 7o transverse section than the measuring-chambers 5, so as to work freely therein, and their true rectilineal movement is insured by vertical guide-rods 14, securedl at theirlower ends in sockets on a bearing-casting l5, fixed to the 75 bottom plate of the casing 1, the pair of guiderods of each chamber fitting lateral recesses in itsmeasuring-cup 13 and being connected at top by a transverse bar 16. In order to admit of the desired traverse of the measur- 8o ing-cups being effected with a minimum of height of the casing, a cap 17, having a closed top and open bottom,is secured to the top of each measuring-cup over a corresponding opening therein, said caps iitting freely over 8 5 the upper ends of the passages 12 in the downward traverse of the cups, and fitting freely within corresponding caps 18, of slightly greater transverse section, fixed upon the bottom plate. 2 of the valve-chamber 4. The 9o downward movement of one of the measuring-cups 13 and the upward movement of the other are effected coincidently by the pressure of the fluid admitted on their upper andlowersides,respectively,and theirtraverse 9 5 is made coincident and equalv in range by coupling'them below the level. of the sealingfluid a in the measuri11g-chambers to a crankshaft 19, journaled in bearings 20, also located below the level of the Ysealing-Huid, which is -Ioo preferably oil and serves as a lubricant for the working parts. The bearings 2O of the crank-shaft 19 are formed in a bearing-casting 15, fixed to the bottom of the casing, and the crank-shaft carries upon each of its ends a balance-wheel 21, to which is connected an adjustable crank-pin 22. Each of the measuring-cups 13 is connected to the crank-pin of the adjacent balance-wheel 21 by aconnecting-rod 23, which is coupled at its upper end to a pin 24, fixed to the top plate of themeasuring-cup and at its lower end to the crankpin. In order to render the crank-pins 22 adjustable toward and from the center line of the crank-shaft, and thereby to lessen or to increase, respectively, the traverse of the measuring-cups, as may from time to time be required, the crank-pins are connected to arms 25, each of which is journaled at one end by a pin 2G to one of the balance-wheels, and is moved about the axis ot' the pin 2G, so as to raise or lower the crank-pin which it carries by an adjusting-screw 27, adapted to turn in a bearing on the balance-wheel, and a spring 2S,surroundin g said adj Listing-screw and bearing against the outer 'end of the arm 25. It will be seen that by the rotationof the adjusting-screw in one or the other direction the arm 25 will be raised or lowered, as the case may be, and will bring the crank-pin nearer to or farther from the center line of the crank-shaft.

An equalizing-chamber 2S, of corresponding form to, but of slightly smaller transverse section than,themeasuring-cup 13, is fixed in each measuring-compartmet with its top adjacent to the level of the sealing-Huid therein, the measuring-chamber surrounding and moving freely pastthe equalizing-chamber. The equalizing-chambers 28a, which are secured to and supported by standards 29 on the bearing-casting 15, are provided for the purpose of reducing the error due to the depression and elevation, respectively, of the sealing-duid on the inside and outside of the measuring-cups, and, being substantially similar to those heretofore known in practice, are not in and of themselves claimed as of my present invention.

The admission and exhaust of the Huid to be measured to and from the upper and lower sides of the pistons or measuring-cups 13 is effected by slide-valves 30 of the recessed or D type employed in steam-engines, saidy valves being reciprocated onl the valve-faces 10 and controlling the ports 11, 9, and 12 thereof. Movementis imparted to the valves 30 by a valve-shaft 31, journaled in bearings 32 between the vertical partit-ions 3 of the casing, and carrying on its lower end 4a bevelgear 32, which engages a similar gear 33 of equal diameter on its pitch-line andixed upon the crank-shaft 19. Aeran'k 34 is fixed upon the upper end of the shaft 31, and the valves 30 are coupled by connecting-rods 35 to the pin 3G of said crank, the valves being set to traverse at right angles one to the other in correspondence with the location of the crank-pins 22 on the balance-wheels 21.

The registration of the measurement of fluid passing through the meter is effected by a registering mechanism of any suitable and known construction which does not form part of my present invention, the same being located in a register-case 37, fixed upon the top of the casing 1, and actuated by a crank 38 on a shaft 39, journaled in bearings in said casing concentrically with the valve-shaft 31. The shaft 39 is rotated coincidently with and at the same speed as the crank-shaft 19 and valve-shaft 31 by a crank 40, fixed upon its lower end and coupled to the pin 36 of the valve-shaft crank 34.` A stuffing-box of any suitable construction is provided to prevent leakage of uid from the valve-chamber 4 around the shaft 39 into the register-case 37. As shown in Fig. 2, two oppositely-inclined conical faces 41 are formed upon the shaft 39, said faces fitting corresponding recesses in a socket in the bottom plate 42 of the registercase 37 and in a socket 42, fixed in a flexible diaphragm 43, secured peri pherally to the bottoni plate 42. Such construction is not claimed as of my present invention, as the same forms the subject-matter of Letters Patent No. 433,824, granted and issued to the Fuel Gas and Manufacturing Company as my assignee under date of August 5, 1890.

It will be obvious that the essential features of my invention may be retained by a modification of the construction above described in which the meter is single acting instead of double acting, as in this instance, the passages 12 being in such case led at top directly into the exhaust-passages instead of leading to independent valve-face ports, as shown.' The equaliZing-chambers 2S would not under such modification be essential and may be dispensed with, as the measuring function of the cups 13 is exerted on their upper sides only.

In the operation of the meter the fiuid to be measured enters the valve-chamber through the inlet-nozzle 6, and inthe position of the parts shown in the drawings passes through the port and passage 11 of the right-hand valve-face 10 into the right-hand measuringchamber 5, above its measuring-cup 13, and through the valve-face port and downward and upward passage 12 of the left-hand valveface into the left-hand measuring-chamber below its' measuring-cup. The pressure of the entering fluid forces the right-hand measuring-cup downward and the left-hand Ineasuring-cup upward, the iuid below the righthand measuring-cup passing in the downward traverse thereof through the passage 12 of its chamber and through the exhaust-cavity of the valve 30, controlling the same into the adjacent exhaust-passage 8, and thence to and through the outlet-nozzle 7. In the coincident upward traverse of the measuring-cup of the left-hand measuring-chamber the iiuid above the same passes out through the adjacent passage 11 and exhaust-cavity of the left-hand valve 30 into the adjacent exhaust- IOC IIO

passage S, and to and through the outlet-nozzle. At the end of the stroke of the measuring-cups their respective directions of movement are reversed and the operation is similarly repeated, the valves having been by the rotation of the shaft 3l brought into proper positions for effecting the supply and discharge of fluid in the opposite movements of the measuring-cups, as required to maintain the continuous measurement and delivery of fluid.

It will be seen that the sealing-fluid in which practicable.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. In a fluid-meter, the combination of a measuring-chamber, a piston or measuringcup fitted to reciprocate therein, a crank-shaft fitted to rotate in bearings therein within the sealing-fluid space and below the huid-seal level, and a connection coupled within the sealing-huid space and below the fluid-seal level to a crank on said shaft and coupled to the measuring-cup, substantially as set forth.

2. In a fluid-meter, the combination of a casing having separate measuring-chambers, pistons or measuring-cups fitted to reciprocate in said measuring-chambers, a crank-shaft itted to rotate in bearings fixed to the casing within the sealing-fluid space and belowthe iiuid-seal level, and connections, each coupling one of the measuring-cups to one of a pair of cranks set at right angles on the crank shaft, substantially as set fort-h.

3. In a iiuid-meter7 the combination of a casing having separate measuring-chambers, pistons or measuring-cups fitted to reciprocate in said measuring-chambers, valve-controlled fluid supply and delivery passages leading into each of said measuring-chambers above and below its measuring-cup, a crank-shaft fitted to rotate in bearings fixed to the casing within the sealing-Huid space and below the Huid-seal level, and connections, each coupling one of the measuring-cups to one` of a pair of cranks set at right angles on the crankshaft, substantially as set forth.

4. In a fluid-meter, the combination of a casing having separate measuring-chambers and a valve-chamber, a fluid-inlet leading into the valve-chamber, pistons or measuring-cups fitted to reciprocate in said measuring-chambers, fluid receiving and delivery passages leading from the valve-chamber into each of said measuring-chambers above and below its measuring-cup, an exhaust-passageleading out of the valve-chamber, a crankshaft titted to rotate in bearings fixed to the casing Within the sealing-huid space and below the fluid-seal level, connections,each coupling one of the measuring-cups to one of a pair of cranks set at right angles on the crankshaft, valves controlling the iiuid receiving and delivery and exhaust passages, a valveshaft geared directlyto the crank-shaft Within the sealing-Huid space and below the iiuidseal level, and connections coupling the valves to the valve-shaft, substantially as set forth.

5. In a Huid-meter, the combination of a meastiring-chamber, a piston or measuringcup fitted to reciprocate therein, a crank-shaft journaled therein below the fluid-seal level,a crank-pin adj ustably connected to a crank on said shaft, and a connection coupled below the fluid-seal level to said crank-pin and coupled to the measuring-cup, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

EDVIN RUUD. Witnesses:

J. SNOWDEN BELL, R. H. WHITTLESEY. 

